Distance

Destination Distance From Downtown

Difficulty

Time To Complete

Seasonality

Dog Friendly

Fees Permits

Land Website

Review

Intro

Lake Austin is a 1,600-acre reservoir formed by the Tom Miller Dam. Much of the shoreline is private property, but there are several public bank access points. We recommend using the concrete ramp at Loop 360 as it is near the middle of the lake.

What Makes It Great

It's a big, easy to access lake so it's understandably popular. It's quite a contrast to see the flora of the shoreline contrasted with the tall buildings looming in the distance. The paddling is good here and the fishing from your boat is quite good. Standup paddleboarding is growing in popularity as well.

Who is Going to Love It

Bank fishing is limited for privacy reasons, but the lake is chock-full of bass, catfish and sunfish. And if you're looking for a day paddle, there are plenty of rental options within a few minutes of the Capital of Texas Hwy access point mentioned earlier. Plus, this body of water cuts right through downtown -- so check out some of our favorite "before & after" destinations to fuel up or wind down.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

The Loop 360 boat ramp is located below the southern end of Pennybacker Bridge over Lake Austin. This three-acre park is primarily used for lake access, but offers a grassy area for fishing and picnicking. A few bald cypress and sycamore trees grow along the water's edge.